Safety and debris drop netting system and related methodology

ABSTRACT

A drop netting system configured to installation on a building slab such as a balcony to protect against falling debris, overspray, concrete, and the like. The system includes plurality of spaced apart brackets disposed around the perimeter of the slab so as to form an array of attachment points for a drop net to be attached to and suspended from the brackets. The brackets extend outward from the edge of the slab and are each optionally angled slightly upward from the surface of the slab. A drop net is secured to the distal end of each bracket and suspended therefrom such that the drop net is spaced away from the edge of the slab to permit construction workers to have access of the slab edge in order to carry out construction work. The drop netting system can be installed on adjacent floors to encase the space between the floors.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/234,881, filed Aug. 11, 2016, the entirety of which is incorporatedby reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application generally relates to safety and debris netting formulti-floor construction and more particularly to a drop netting systemfor multi-floor or other types of construction and related methodology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings appended hereto are mere schematics representations, notintended to portray specific parameters of the invention. Understandingthat these drawing(s) depict only typical embodiments of the inventionand are not, therefore, to be considered to be limiting its scope, theinvention will be described and explained with additional specificityand detail through the use of the accompanying drawing(s), in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view schematic of one embodiment of the drop nettingsystem.

FIG. 2A is a side view of the left and right terminal brackets.

FIG. 2B is a top view of the left and right terminal brackets.

FIG. 3A is a side view of the corner bracket.

FIG. 3B is a top view of the corner bracket.

FIG. 4A is a side view of the add-on bracket.

FIG. 4B is a top view of the add-on bracket.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the drop nettingsystem deployed at the side a building.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the drop nettingsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of thisdisclosure, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodimentsillustrated in the drawing(s), and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations andfurther modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, andany additional applications of the principles of the invention asillustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant artand having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered withinthe scope of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment,” an “example”or similar language means that a particular feature, structure,characteristic, or combinations thereof described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the presentinvention. Thus, appearances of the phrases an “embodiment,” an“example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, butdo not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, to differentembodiments, or to one or more of the figures. Additionally, referenceto the wording “embodiment,” “example” or the like, for two or morefeatures, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are necessarilyrelated, dissimilar, the same, etc. Each statement of an embodiment, orexample, is to be considered independent of any other statement of anembodiment despite any use of similar or identical languagecharacterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment isidentified as “another embodiment,” the identified embodiment isindependent of any other embodiments characterized by the language“another embodiment.” The features, functions, and the like describedherein are considered to be able to be combined in whole or in part onewith another as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly orindirectly, implicitly or explicitly.

As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is,” “are,”“characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive oropen-ended terms that do not exclude additional un-recited elements ormethod steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the morerestrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”

With reference to FIG. 1 shown is a schematic of one embodiment of thedrop netting system 10 installed on an exemplary slab 20. In someembodiments, the slab 20 is a balcony or other structure of a buildingon and around which it is desired to have protection against fallingdebris, overspray, concrete, and the like. The system 10 comprises arrayor a plurality of spaced apart brackets disposed around the perimeter ofthe slab 20 so as to form an array of attachment points for a drop netto be attached to and suspended from the brackets. The brackets extendoutward from the edge 21 of the slab 20 and are each optionally angledslightly upward from the surface of the slab 20. A drop net is securedto the distal end of each bracket and suspended therefrom such that thedrop net is spaced away from the edge 21 of the slab 20 in such a mannerto permit construction workers to have access of the slab 20 and theedge 21 in order to carry out construction work.

In some embodiments, at least two terminal brackets 11 are provided, inthe depicted non-limiting embodiment a first terminal bracket at theleft rear corner of the slab 20 and a second terminal bracket at theright rear corner of the slab 20. At least two corner brackets areprovided at the opposing outward facing corners of the slab 20. Aplurality of add-on brackets 13 may also be optionally provided. In someembodiments, at least one add-on bracket is positioned on the slab 20between the terminal brackets 11 and the corner brackets 12 and betweenthe two corner brackets 12.

In some embodiments, depending on the relative dimensions of the slab20, two or more add-on brackets 13 may be positioned between the twocorner brackets 12, or the terminal brackets 11 and corner brackets 12.In some embodiments, the corner brackets 12 are configured and installedsuch that they extend away from the edge 21 of the slab 20 further thanthat of the add-on brackets 13 or terminal brackets 11.

FIGS. 2A-4B depict the configurations of the various brackets employedby the system. FIGS. 2A and 2B show the terminal brackets 11 in top andside views. The terminal brackets 11 included a support beam 111, across beam 112, and a stabilizing beam 113. The cross beam is aperpendicular to the support beam 111 with support beam 111 attachedapproximately at a first end of the cross beam 112. The stabilizing beam113 is attached at the other end of the cross beam 112 and extendsdiagonally toward and is attached to the support beam 111. The crossbeam 112 is configured to be secured to the slab 20 with the distal endof support beam 111 configured to extend past the edge 21 of the slab20. In some embodiments, the proximal end of the support beam 111 isalso secured to the slab 20. The cross beam 112, in some embodiments, isconfigured as an L-bracket that is positioned such that the support beam111 is elevated at an angle relative to the slab 20.

Shown in FIGS. 3A-3B is corner bracket 12, which comprises an elongatedsupport beam 121 secured to the slab 20 at a proximal end and,optionally, by way of L-bracket 122. The L-bracket 122 may be welded tothe beam 121 at a location approximately at the center of the lengththereof. The L-bracket 122 secures and elevates the elongated supportbeam 121 at an angle relative to the slab 20. Shown in FIGS. 4A-4B isadd-on bracket 13, which comprises an elongated support beam 131 securedto the slab 20 at a proximal end and, optionally, by way of L-bracket132. The L-bracket 132 may be welded to the beam 131 at a locationapproximately at the center of the length thereof. The L-bracket 132secures and elevates the elongated support beam 131 at an angle relativeto the slab 20.

FIG. 5 depicts and embodiment of the system 10 installed across twoslabs 20 which represent slabs or balconies on adjacent floors of abuilding, an upper floor 30 and a lower floor 30′. Each slab 20 includesa system 10 including first and second terminal brackets 11, a cornerbracket 12 at each outward corner, and at least one add-on bracket 13disposed between each terminal bracket 11 and corner bracket 12 and thetwo corner brackets 12. A cable 14 is traced around and attachedcohesively across the distal ends of each of the brackets on therespective slabs 20. A net 15 is then attached at to the cable 14 at theupper floor 30 and to the cable 14 at the lower floor 30′ therebysuspending the net between the floors and encasing the slabs 20 and thespace between the floors so as to prevent the spread of debris from workareas at or about the slabs 20. In some embodiments, because thebrackets extend outward and away from the edge 21 of the slabs 20, thenet 15 is spaced apart from the edge 21 thereby providing access spacefor construction workers.

The spaced-apart configuration of the net is particularly useful forstucco, concrete, paint and masonry workers that need access to the edgeand bottom of a slab 20 and will be using construction materials thatare prone to creating debris and loss of building material. They system10 herein permits the worker to work right up to the edge of the slab 20but be in close proximity to the net 30, which can quickly and easilycontain debris and excess building material. In some embodiments, thecorner bracket 12 extends away from the edge 21 of the slab 20 furtherthan the terminal and add-on brackets, thereby creating a great accessspace at the corner of the slab 20, where more space is often needed formore intricate work.

FIG. 6 depicts another non-limiting embodiment of the system 10, thisconfiguration ideal for curved or irregular, non-rectangular, shapedslabs 20. In this case, a semi-circular slab configuration is shown withthe system 10 installed on an upper floor 30 and a lower floor 30′. Thesystem 10 includes first and second terminal brackets 11 at the edges,with a plurality of add-on brackets 13 disposed around the perimeter ofthe slab 20 between the first and second terminal brackets. In thisembodiments, because of the curved nature of the slab 20 it may notnecessary to employ a longer corner bracket 12 at any given position. Inthis configuration, the cable 14 is attached to the brackets and the net15 is attached and suspended there to and will result in the netencasing the slabs and the space between floors to prevent the spread ofdebris and construction material.

It is appreciated and understood that the various brackets may comprisematerials of varying material and cross-section. For example, wood,steel, aluminum, and combinations thereof may be employed.Cross-sections may vary as the bracket beams may be tubular, square, orL-shaped. The means and manner by which the brackets are secured to theslab 20 is not limiting although in some embodiments concrete screws orlike fasteners can be used. Other hardware may be utilized to reinforcethe attachment points on the slab. The net 15 can vary in type,thickness and designed although it may desirable to employ a net 15 witha fine mesh backing or fine mesh array in order to retain and preventthe dispersion of debris, especially that occurring during stucco, tile,and concrete application. The means of attaching the net to the distalends of the brackets can vary but may include hooks, clips, eyelets, andother like fastening or securing means.

By way of non-limiting example, it is helpful to describe certainrelative dimensions of system components. In some embodiments, it isdesirable for each of the brackets 11, 12, and 13 to extend away fromthe edge 21 of the slab 20 by at least 12 inches to provide optimalclearance for construction. In some embodiments, the corner bracketsextend from the edge 21 further than the other brackets; for example,the corner brackets may extend from the edge 21 by 18 inches whereas theterminal 11 and add-on 13 brackets extend only 12 inches. The spacing ofthe brackets may also vary although in one embodiment it is desirablethat the brackets are spaced apart no greater than 15 feet in order forthe net 15 to remain taut and secure. In some embodiments, the variousbrackets extend away from the edge the same distance as they extendtoward the slab, i.e. a 36 inch corner bracket extends 18 inches awayfrom the edge.

The system 10 of the present invention is designed to be installed onadjacent floors although it may be possible to install on every otherfloor or other desired spacing in order to cover more than one floor orstory of a building. Moreover, the system can adapted to be installed onsuccessive adjacent floors with multiple nets attached to the brackets11, 12, and 13, in succession on each such floors in order to constructa netting system which covers the entire side or a large portion of abuilding. The netting system is also designed to be modular in order topermit its usage in a variety of applications and with various sized,shaped, and configured building structures. The system 10 may can beemployed in a variety of building applications including high riseconstruction, low rise construction, bridge construction, and the like.

While specific embodiments have been described in detail, those withordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications andalternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overallteachings of the disclosures. Accordingly, the particular arrangementsdisclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting of theinvention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims,and any and all equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A netting system for construction, comprising: atleast one beam having a proximal end adapted to be secured to a topsurface of a slab, and a distal end; at least one spacing bracket havinga proximal end adapted to be secured to the top surface of the slab, anda distal end interconnected to the at least one beam between theproximal end and the distal end thereof; wherein when the at least onebeam and the at least one bracket are secured to the top surface of theslab, the distal end of the at least one beam is positioned away from anedge of the slab, wherein a midpoint of the at least one beam ispositioned a first distance from an upper surface of the slab, and thedistal end is positioned a second distance from the upper surface of theslab, and wherein the second distance is greater than the firstdistance; a cable associated with the distal end of the at least onebeam; and a net attached to and suspended from the cable.
 2. The nettingsystem of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the at least one beam isspaced no more than 18 inches from the edge of the slab.
 3. The nettingsystem of claim 1, wherein the at least one beam and the at least onespacing bracket constitute an array of subassemblies, a plurality ofwhich are interconnected to the slab, the system further comprising atleast a first and a second terminal bracket and at least two cornerbrackets adjacent to the terminal brackets, the corner bracketsextending further from the edge than the terminal brackets.
 4. Thenetting system of claim 3, wherein one or more secondary brackets aredisposed between the terminal brackets and the corner brackets.
 5. Thenetting system of claim 3, wherein each of the terminal bracketscomprise: a support beam having a proximal end adapted to be secured tothe slab and a distal end; a cross beam having a proximal end adapted tobe secured to the slab and a second end interconnected in aperpendicular orientation to the support beam and between the proximalend and the distal end of the support beam, the cross beam having afirst lateral edge and a second later edge, and wherein the support beamis interconnected to the cross beam adjacent to the second lateral edgethereof; a stabilizing beam having a first end interconnected to thecross beam adjacent to the first lateral edge, and a second endinterconnected to the support beam adjacent to the distal end thereof;and wherein the support beams are configured to receive the cable, andwherein the support beam is spaced from the end of the slab when thesupport beam and cross beam are interconnected to the slab.
 6. Thenetting system of claim 3, further comprising a second array ofsub-assemblies configured to be attached to a second slab and extendingaway from an edge of the second slab, wherein a second cable isassociated with each distal end of the beams of the second array,wherein the net is attached to the second cable.
 7. The netting systemof claim 6, wherein the net is spaced apart from the edge of the secondslab.
 8. The netting system of claim 1, further comprising a terminalmember spaced from the beam and interconnected spacing bracket, theterminal member comprising: a support beam having a proximal end adaptedto be secured to the slab and a distal end; a cross beam having aproximal end adapted to be secured to the slab and a second endinterconnected in a perpendicular orientation to the support beam andbetween the proximal end and the distal end of the support beam, thecross beam having a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, andwherein the support beam is interconnected to the cross beam adjacent tothe second lateral edge thereof; a stabilizing beam having a first endinterconnected to the cross beam adjacent to the first lateral edge, anda second end interconnected to the support beam adjacent to the distalend thereof; and wherein the distal end of the support beams are spacedfrom the end of the slab and configured to receive the cable.
 9. Anetting system, comprising: a first array of spaced brackets, each ofthe brackets being rigid and comprising: a beam having a proximal endadapted to be secured to a top surface of a slab, and a distal end; aspacing bracket having a proximal end adapted to be secured to the topsurface of the slab, and a distal end interconnected to the beam betweenthe proximal end and the distal end of the beam, wherein when the beamand the spacing bracket are secured to the top surface of the slab, thedistal end of the beam is positioned away from an edge of the slab,wherein a midpoint of the beam is positioned a first distance from anupper surface of the slab, and the distal end is positioned a seconddistance from the upper surface of the slab, and wherein the seconddistance is greater than the first distance; a first cable associatedwith each distal end of the beams of the first array; a second array ofspaced brackets configured to be secured only on a top surface of asecond slab and spaced along an edge of the second slab, the brackets ofthe second array being of similar construction to the brackets of thefirst array; a second cable associated with each distal end of the beamsof the second array; and a net attached to each of the first and thesecond cables and suspended across a space between the first and thesecond slabs, the net having an inner surface that is spaced from theedge of the first slab and the second slab when the first array ofspaced brackets and the second array of spaced brackets areinterconnected thereto.
 10. The netting system of claim 9, wherein eachof the brackets extends from the edge of the slab no more than 18inches.
 11. The netting system of claim 9, wherein each of the first andsecond array of brackets includes at least a first and a second terminalbrackets and at least two corner brackets adjacent to the terminalbrackets, the corner brackets extending further from the edges of thefirst slab and the second slab than the terminal brackets.
 12. Thenetting system of claim 11, wherein one or more secondary brackets aredisposed between the terminal brackets and the corner brackets.
 13. Thenetting system of claim 11, wherein each of the terminal bracketscomprise: a support beam having a proximal end adapted to be secured tothe slab and a distal end, a cross beam having a proximal end adapted tobe secured to the slab and a second end interconnected in aperpendicular orientation to the support beam and between the proximalend and the distal end of the support beam, the cross beam having afirst lateral edge and a second later edge, and wherein the support beamis interconnected to the cross beam adjacent to the second lateral edgethereof, and a stabilizing beam having a first end interconnected to thecross beam adjacent to the first lateral edge, and a second endinterconnected to the support beam adjacent to the distal end thereof;and wherein the support beam is spaced from the end of the slab when thesupport beam and cross beam are interconnected to the slab.
 14. Anetting system for construction, comprising: an array of a plurality ofspaced brackets, each of the brackets, comprising: a beam having aproximal end adapted to be secured to a top surface of a slab, and adistal end; a spacing bracket having a proximal end adapted to besecured to the top surface of the slab, and a distal end interconnectedto the beam between the proximal end and the distal end of the beam;wherein when the beam and the spacing bracket are secured to the topsurface of the slab, the distal end of the beam is positioned away froman edge of the slab, such that the edge is accessible to permit theapplication of construction material thereto, wherein a midpoint of thebeam is positioned a first distance from an upper surface of the slab,and the distal end is positioned a second distance from the uppersurface of the slab, and wherein the second distance is greater than thefirst distance; a cable associated with a distal end of each beam; a netattached to and suspended from the cable; and wherein the plurality ofbrackets include at least one terminal bracket, comprising: a supportbeam having a proximal end adapted to be secured to the slab and adistal end, a cross beam having a proximal end adapted to be secured tothe slab and a second end interconnected in a perpendicular orientationto the support beam and between the proximal end and the distal end ofthe support beam, the cross beam having a first lateral edge and asecond lateral edge, and wherein the support beam is interconnected tothe cross beam adjacent to the second lateral edge thereof, astabilizing beam having a first end interconnected to the cross beamadjacent to the first lateral edge, and a second end interconnected tothe support beam adjacent to the distal end thereof, and wherein thedistal end of the support beams are spaced from the end of the slab andconfigured to receive the cable.
 15. The netting system of claim 13,wherein the plurality of brackets include at least one corner bracketadjacent to the at least one terminal bracket, the at least one cornerbracket extending further from the edge than the at least one terminalbracket.
 16. The netting system of claim 15, wherein one or more add-onbrackets are disposed between the at least one terminal bracket and theat least one corner bracket.
 17. The netting system of claim 13, whereinthe bracket constitute a first array of spaced brackets, and furthercomprising a second array of a plurality of spaced brackets, which areof similar construction to those of the first array, configured to beattached to a second slab and extending away from an edge of the secondslab, wherein a second cable is associated with each distal end of thebeams of the second array, wherein the net is attached to the secondcable.